Investigation yields suspects

Although there have yet to be charges filed, Basehor police have three suspects in connection with a July burglary of the Basehor Wastewater Treatment Facility.

In late July, thieves broke into the treatment plant and stole items valued at more than $100,000. Basehor police estimate approximately 80 percent of the items have been recovered, including a 2000 Ford F-250 pickup truck, from either private residences or pawn shops.

Basehor police chief Terry Horner said search warrants were issued for the residences of Kansas City, Kan., man and a Kansas City, Mo., man for possession of stolen property. A third suspect is currently being treated at the Larned State Hospital.

"They appear to be the three main individuals involved in it," Horner said.

Police said they would soon be turning over the case file to the Leavenworth County District Attorney's Office for consideration of charges.

Horner said 50 percent of the property stolen was recovered from residences and the other half from Missouri pawn shops. The only item stolen of significant value stolen from the city that has not yet been recovered is an electric generator.

The thefts at the treatment plant caused city officials to add an alarm system at the facility. In August, the City Council authorized superintendent Gene Myracle to hire a company to install the system, which will include color cameras, a video replay system, digital feedback and motion detectors, among other security measures.